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:-[Chapter 8]-:
As soon as Tywin finished reading the letter, he got up and put it in the fireplace and watch it burn. While he was doing so, the Lion of the Rock was deeply in his thoughts. The first phase was possibly completed. Now, the second phase could begin.
:-[T.A.B]-:
Lyanna Stark was not happy. She didn't want to stay here, she wanted to follow her brothers and her friend Harry. While she understood why she had to stay in Winterfell, she craved adventures.
Late in the night, the young Stark woman was tiptoeing silently in direction of the training ground. Her father had forbid her to touch any kind of weapon ever since she could remember. She knew he would be beyond mad if she was ever discovered, which was why she wore her darkest cloak to hide herself.
The ground was only illuminated by a few torches scattered here and there. There were no signs of any guards or servants. It was very late and since the army would be leaving Winterfell the next day, it made sense that the yard would be this empty. Yet, Lyanna knew that she could not push it too much.
She could her favourite bow, once of the smallest one, and around two dozen arrows. She wanted to do more but she also knew that the more she was out there, the more risks to be discovered.
Lyanna went behind the small building where the weapon were put and went into position. She adjusted her grip on the bow, knock the arrow, let out a deep breath and let go. The arrow flew straight to the middle of the target.
"Wow, you are good for a small lass." Said a voice behind her.
Lyanna was so frightened by the voice that she jumped in the air, letting go of her bow. Her heart was beating furiously in her chest. She spun around and saw one of the last person she thought she would see tonight, Robert Baratheon.
"What are you doing here?" she whisper shouted at him.
"Me? I not the one who trained with a bow in the middle of the night. If you must know, I was out to take a piss when I saw a shadow. I decided to follow it, just to be sure and I saw that it was you." Explained the stormlander.
While she took the time to clam herself, she looked at him. Indeed, he was not armed, except for a small dagger. His clothing was light, something she knew the men wore to sleep.
"I have every right to go anywhere I please in my home!" protested meekly the young girl.
"Are you sure about that?" smirked the young man. "Shall we see your Lord Father then?"
Lyanna blanched instantly. It was the last thing she needed. Father would punish her so badly. Probably by taking the horse her brother Ned brought to her from the Vale.
"No! Please Lord Robert, don't tell him." Pleaded the girl.
"Relax lass. Your secret is safe with me. Ned is like my brother, which mean we are family." Said Robert with the biggest smile Lyanna had ever seen on his face.
"Thank you, Lord Robert. I am very grateful."
"So what's the Lady Stark doing here, in the middle on the night, shooting arrows?" lightly tease the young warrior. Ned told him during one of the many spars they had together.
Lyanna scowled a little bit at the comment but bit the inside of her cheek in order not to retaliate.
"I love using the bow. Father doesn't want me to 'injured' myself. I am perfectly able to use one!"
"Aye, I can easily see that my Lady. You have my word as the future Lord of Storm's End, I shall not give you away."
"Thank you again my Lord." Simply said the girl, smiling sweetly at him, before returning her attention to the target. She knock another arrow, only to miss it this time entirely.
Robert let out a small chuckled at that.
"So it was a fluke I see. Well my Lady, maybe you should stick to what you women do best."
Not wanting to get in more problems with her parents, Lyanna only smiled again.
"Thank you for the advice, my Lord. I shall think about it." Said the young woman, gritting her teeth together.
"It is my pleasure, my fair Lady. It is the duty of us men to guide woman when you go too far." Said Robert with what he thought was a reassuring smile before taking his leave.
"That fucking big oaf. What does Ned see in that man I don't know." Said Lyanna once Robert was far enough.
:-[T.A.B]-:
Inside the trunk, Harry was once again deeply in meditation in his specialize room. He was lucky that no one went to his room while he was in the trunk. The big direwolf's presence was clearly helping there in some ways.
The raven haired boy loved this sleeping method. Once he finished his magical practice, he went into meditation mode to retrieve all of his energy. Over and all, both his physical and magical training were going really well. While not a prodigy with the sword, Ser Rodrik assure him that he was very good considering he had only been training for a short period of time.
His wandless magic was going very well now. Harry could now cast the Lumos spell very easily and without thinking. He still needed to say the spell out loud but he did not mind. For the time being, he decided to keep his magic secrets from everyone. He wanted to be stronger before he decided to divulge this information.
From what he knew about magic in Westeros, nobody believed in it. Sure the North seemed to be far more tolerant about magic than the South, but magic wielders like in Harry's real world had never been seen before. He needed to be way more powerful before revealing it.
"Master, it's time. The army will leave in a couple hours, you should get prepare before they come and get you." Informed Hedwig.
"Thank you, girl. I am on my way." Said a grateful Harry.
They started this system about a couple weeks in Westeros. He didn't know her name at the time, but Sura almost came in one morning, wanting to do her job. Only the fact that Hedwig was sleeping near the door stopped Sura from entering the room.
The young warrior got up and climb up the stairs. Once he got out of the trunk, he saw Hedwig lying down on her usual spot, the front of the door.
"Are you ready to leaving South, Master?" asked the white direwolf once he step out and closed the trunk.
"I am, girl. Lord Rickard and the blacksmiths have given me great gifts and I feel ready. Ser Rodrik will accompany us to protect Eddard as his Sworn Shield and to help with our training. I foresee many sparring with the Quiet Wolf in my future."
"It's almost certain yes. From what I heard from Benjen and Lyanna, he is a good fighter. Not like Brandon however, who beat him every time they spared. You will probably fight with that two legged from the Stormlands." Said Hedwig with a small sneer. She didn't like the man. Not like Maester Walys, but here was something about him that kept her from really trusting him.
"Robert Baratheon. Eddard Stark's best friend. The guy already love his wine and a very good warrior. He is going to be one of the best warriors in Westeros if he keeps growing like that."
A soft knock on the door made them stopped talking. Harry went to open it and saw Sura, waiting on him.
"Lord Harry, my Lord Rickard is expecting you in the yard, I am to escort you there." Said the young girl with a small blush.
"Thank you, Sura. I am already ready, you may lead the way."
Harry walked out of his room with Hedwig right behind him. It was the last time they would be together for several months, maybe even a year. The direwolf still not happy with the decision to stay here in Winterfell but had promised to do her duty, protect the Stark children at any cost.
The young warrior followed Sura, who was quick with her steps. He noticed the furtive glances she gave him, well what she thought was furtive.
"She clearly has something to ask you, Master." Said the white direwolf.
"I have noticed," said mentally Harry, "but I am letting her tell me by herself."
"So she probably won't do it. Don't forget Master, she is but a servant. She is used to saying nothing and doing her job quietly, if you want to be her friend, you will have to do the first couple of steps to get her out of her shell.
"How can you be so insightful, Lady Hedwig?" teased Harry to his familiar before returning his attention to the young girl beside him.
"Do you mean to ask me something, Sura?" softly asked the young man.
"Hum... yes. Well, not really asking but more giving a small favour from me. We have this little joke between us and I thought... it is silly really." Stuttered the young woman.
Harry gently grabbed her elbow to make her stop. His emerald green eyes locked with her brow reddish eyes.
"Please, my Lady. May I see the favour you speak of? Said gallantly Harry who bore his best smile.
Sura found courage at his comment and pulled out a small piece of clothing. It was a light blue with a white direwolf head on it. The eyes were sewn with a gold thread to represent Hedwig's.
"I made it myself," said proudly Sura. "Lady Lyanna was kind enough to give me the materials and helped me with the design. She says she doesn't like embroidery but she is very good at it."
"I shall cherish it my Lady, it will never leave my side while I am away."
He would, he was sure of it. The little banter between Sura and him was something he really likes. He was trying to get her to come out of her shell more. It was have work, if he could trust her beautiful smile.
"I've also asked Lord Stark if he was alright with the direwolf head since it is the Stark's symbol for thousands of years. Since it is you, he said that he doesn't mind at all." Explained Sura.
"I shall give him my thanks before we leave Winterfell." Said Harry with a smile. "Are you coming with the others servants?"
"Of course. It is our duty to see our Lord Stark before he leave for war. He needs to know that we will do ours task as usual. It is tradition for the entire Household to see him off."
"Is that so? I did not know that. Then again, I am leaving with his son to the Vale so it wasn't really important for me to know I guess."
:-[T.A.B]-:
The courtyard was literally buzzing with people. Soldiers were running around, making sure the weapons and supplies were properly put and secure inside the wagons. Servants made sure the army had enough food for the journey.
In the middle of the chaos, the Stark family was getting ready for the departure. Each knew their roles and each of them knew the importance of it. It may not have been the biggest war the North had seen, but you never really knew what could happen during a fight.
It was a huge risk to bring his two first sons with him at war. Especially with one going on the other front where he could not watch over him. Rickard could not really let Brandon stay in Winterfell. The fact that he was the heir meant he needed the experience of war before taking his place. For Eddard, it was impossible due to the fostering with Jon Arryn. No, Benjen was the perfect chose. His entourage was perfect in his mother and Maester Walys.
"Master Walys, I trust everything is in order for our departure?" said Rickard Stark with a firm tone.
"Yes, my Lord. Each soldier is fully equipped with their supplies. The food was loaded yesterday and during the night per your instructions. Four battalions of men were formed. Three will follow you and one, under Ser Rodrik, will follow our young Lord Eddard." Quickly answered the old Maester.
"Very well. Benjen, do not forget what I told you. You are the Stark of Winterfell. Trust in your judgement and trust in your advisors." Said Rickard to his youngest.
"Yes, Father. I will protect Winterfell, I swear by the Old Gods." Promised the young man, his grey eyes firmed with conviction.
While the Starks were speaking between them, Harry was in discussion with Hedwig.
"Remember, Hedwig, stay with Benjen and Lyanna. Your mere presence will deter people of going against them while Lord Stark is not here."
"Yes Master." Said Hedwig with the biggest eye-roll she could do. "The Stark children will be safe with me, you have my word."
"Good. With any luck, none of the Stark will die in this war. I worry most for Lord Rickard, he is the one who will do the most of the fighting."
"Lord Stark has his entire Household Guard with him. The only exceptions are Ser Rodrik and Alyn. The Northmen are among the best warriors in Westeros. Even you could beat their arses and you are not even thirteen yet." chirped Hedwig.
"Thank you for the vote of confidence you silly quadruped." Said Harry with a smirk.
"More seriously Master. While you are gone, you won't be able to go inside of the trunk since I will not be with you. Do not risk it. You will be far from your allies. I trust this Eddard, he seems very honourable but I don't trust the Southerners."
"You're right, girl. Magic practice will be put on hold for the moment. I will start learning some more offensive spells when we come back, what do you say? I remember Hermione use a flame spell when she saved me during Quidditch, we could start there."
"Offensive spell is a good idea. We will talk more about it when you come back."
All conversations were stopped however by the booming sound of a horn, signalling to everyone that it was time to leave Winterfell. Soldiers went into formations, and horses where finished being saddle. The atmosphere suddenly changes when Lord Rickard Stark was the first to mount his powerful brown stallion. His household guards beside him proudly wield the Stark grey direwolf banner.
With a simple nod to the horn bearer, the Lord of Winterfell gave the final signal of departure. The sound of the horn was heard throughout the court. The servants, peasants and other who were gathered to wish their Lord goodbye simply bowed their head to the brave men. Some would not return, some would but injured. Some were dreaming of glory of the battlefield while other simply wanted to come back in one piece.
Followed closely by his sons and his household guard, Lord Rickard Stark was the first to pass de gates of Winterfell in the direction where many men would not come back, war. The solemn atmosphere was suddenly broken by Hedwig, who let out the longest of howl.
:-[T.A.B]-:
Thank you everyone for reading Chapter 8 of The adventure begins! Please let a review in the comment, letting me know what you think about my story.
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To Wrixel: Thank you for reading my story my friend. Yes, I was inspired by the scene where Harry play with his knights in the beginning of the first movie. I always thought that he would use his imagination to become a knight or a hero.
